Uncategorized Archives - Page 3 of 3

The March Leprechauns, Bunnies, Lambs and Lions Are Here: Making Imagination Flourish through Music

March 10, 2013 By Elizabeth Schwartz

In my work as an educator and consultant I have plenty of opportunity to visit early childhood centers and schools. Most of my visits are very pleasant, and I get to see some really excellent programs.

This time of year, though, I am always amused to see hung on walls and decorated in projects the lasting vestiges of the March Imaginarium: Leprechauns, Bunnies, Lions and Lambs. How come these symbols and icons have lasted so long? And how come they sometimes become the foundation for educational curriculum? [Read more…]

Filed Under: Music Therapy, Sprouting Melodies, Uncategorized Tagged With: bunny hop, developmentally appropriate practice, imagination, leprechaun, lion and lamb, make believe, NAEYC, pretend

Parents as Reading Partners: Songs, Snuggles and Musical Support

February 23, 2013 By Elizabeth Schwartz

Many of the children and some of the parents came to my school last night dressed in pajamas and carrying a pillow, stuffed animal and their favorite book. It was the annual Friday night pajama party celebrating a weeklong event known as ‘Parents as Reading Partners’ or PARP. During the week, the families pledged to read every day to their child. Each title was recorded on a paper heart, and sent back to school. By last night, the front lobby walls were crammed with hearts- a testament to the dedication and concern of our parents. mom and kid reading

My school setting is fully integrated, and so we have children with all kinds of abilities and challenges. But the staff and families are committed to the importance of early literacy for every child. Developing print literacy, though, can be difficult when the child’s growth is impacted by disability. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Literacy, Uncategorized Tagged With: early reading, engaging with print, music and early literacy, Parents as Reading Partners, PARP

Love Songs 101: Music and Affection in Early Childhood

February 3, 2013 By Elizabeth Schwartz

Somehow the round green wreaths on the front doors of houses in my community have morphed into red or pink heart shapes. Even when they are covered with snow, the colors and shapes of these decorations send the message that love is in the air.

I’ve been so lucky as a daughter and a wife and a mother to love and to be loved. I’ve been fortunate also in my work with young children to feel a different kind of love for the little ones and for their families. As a music therapist and an educator I have examined the idea of love and affection and bonding from all different kinds of perspectives – developmental, biological, neurological, behavioral, social and emotional. What this research and clinical experience has shown me is that one of the most important things that can happen for a parent and child making music together is to experience a feeling of love. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Music Therapy, Sprouting Melodies, Uncategorized Tagged With: Attachment, bonding, connection, love

Peeling the Onion: Thanksgiving

November 19, 2012 By Elizabeth Schwartz

For the first time in as long as I can remember, Thanksgiving will not be at my house. The decision for the change was not deliberate; it was just something that happened. Since I am not madly shopping and cooking, there is time to think about change and think about the focus on tradition that most families feel at Thanksgiving. How do we create traditions for our children? What happens when creating tradition means lots of changes from everyday routine? Is there more to tradition at Thanksgiving than a turkey or a pilgrim hat? [Read more…]

Filed Under: Music Therapy, Uncategorized Tagged With: Family, Holidays, Manners, Minor, Music, Traditions

Go Away, Hurricane Sandy!

November 9, 2012 By Elizabeth Schwartz

Routine, Reassurance, Recognition and Resilience

Dark. Noisy. Confusing. Mom and Dad upset. No TV. Cold. The hurricane that roared through our area was really scary for so many little children. And scary for grownups, many of whom felt powerless both literally and figuratively. My friend Christine, shared these thoughts in an e-mail after returning to work at her pre-school – “So many staff members and family have lost everything at my site! People were crying in the halls in each other’s arms. A 4 year old girl told me there were fish and crabs swimming though her house.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Halfway Around the World

September 20, 2012 By Elizabeth Schwartz

Association for Music Therapy Singapore

2nd Symposium 2012: Music Therapy and the Special Child

I was sitting at my work desk writing up some session notes when an e-mail popped up that I just had to stop and read – ‘Will you travel halfway around the world to present on music therapy and special education?’ The passion and professionalism of the members of the Association for Music Therapy Singapore almost reached out through the computer screen with steadfast persuasion. I blinked my eyes, read it again, and without stopping to get the details, decided to say ‘yes’. What a great experience! [Read more…]